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Jing'an (静安区 Jìng'ān Qū) is a district in downtown Shanghai. It is named after the historic Jing'an Temple, and its transport hub is the Jing'an Temple metro station. Other than a few temples and Chairman Mao's former house, there are few sights in Jing'an but if you are looking for shopping and eating or want to admire skyscrapers, then this is a prime area. Nanjing Road West runs right past the temple; the whole area is heavily developed with mainly commercial and office buildings along Nanjing Road, including a large shopping center above the metro station, and several others nearby. The side streets have a higher proportion of residential buildings, but many of those have shops or restaurants on the ground floor. Hotels on Nanjing Road are expensive but the side streets, especially north of the temple, have some in more moderate price ranges.
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静安寺
This is a large Buddhist temple; the name translates as Temple of Peace and Tranquility. It is said to have been built in 247 CE, making it over 1750 years old.
Small house in traditional style that housed Mao Tse Tung during his early days in the Chinese Communist Party. Preserved as a (very) small museum. Possibly the most interesting aspect is the fact that his once humble home is now surrounded by one of Shanghai's most expensive shopping malls full of luxury shops and hotels!
上海自然博物馆
The 25.06-meter-tall EVA Unit-01 statue holds the Guinness World Record as the largest anime sculpture in the world. Modelled after the iconic mecha from the Japanese anime Neon Genesis Evangelion, it is a free, permanent landmark.
All the impressive acts of a Chinese circus packed into one 90 minute show. The location is easy to walk by as the theater is hidden inside a hotel. Tickets are best bought in advance, especially for weekend shows. The good acts are up right from the start, so don't be late! An alternative is the Shanghai Circus in Zhabei.
Sino-Soviet Friendship Building, 中苏友好大厦
Built in the 1950s and then the tallest building in Shanghai at 110 m, this is still a landmark.
One of a Japanese chain of Italian restaurants where a decently-sized plate of pasta can be had for less than ¥20 and all-you-can-drink soft drinks available for an additional ¥6 from 11AM-2PM. Menus are available in English.
CoCo壱番屋
One of a Japanese chain of curry restaurants, with seafood, meat, and vegetarian curries available and variable levels of spiciness. There will be seasonal items on the menu that change depending on time of year. There is a spice rating from 1 (mild) to 5 (hot!); most people who like spicy food will be happy with 3, or perhaps 4. Others should chose 1 or 2 and consider ordering a larger serving of rice, which is also a menu option.
Although not cheap by national standards, this is definitely a budget option in the Jing'an district. A clean and fairly large food court can be found next to Jing'An station in the basement of the Reel Shopping Mall, with fried dumplings to be had (4 for ¥6) to larger rice dishes and hotpots. Can be very busy.
南翔馒头店
A branch of the famous xiaolongbao restaurant found in the Old City, but with significantly shorter lines.
小杨生煎
Where the Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant is known for its xiaolongbao, this place just around the corner is known for its shengjianbao, the fried version. Although there are several stores throughout Shanghai, this is the original, where it has been since 1994. Dumplings are made fresh to order, and there are other Shanghai specialties available. Can be busy during peak hours.
(巴厘岛), No.3 Jinan Park, 189 Huashan Road (near West Nanjing Road, 静安区华山路189号静安公园3号门 近南京西路). Standard Indonesian food served in a romantic and delightful setting overlooking a small pool that is particularly pretty at night.
Italian coffee shop with outdoor seating area. Good location for foreigners and Chinese to meet up for language exchanges. Free wifi and serves pasta.
Japanese Ton Katsu restaurant which is somewhat more upmarket than CoCo Ichibanya.
If you have been in China a while and want to enjoy a break with an English breakfast or fish and chips for lunch, then Mr Harry's is possibly the place for you. English pub style decorations and English beer available.
A copy of the Mexican-American chain, Chipotle, this restaurant serves large portions of burritos and tacos.
A 'premium' beefburger restaurant selling good tasting burgers at a high price.
Offers coffee roasted on site (including coffee beans sourced from southern China) and nice wrap sandwiches.
Related to the 'Baker and Spice' chain and serving fairly familiar Western food.
Another branch of Wagas to the north of the temple
The UK Pizza chain can be found in the Shanghai Centre. It is better tasting than the fast food pizza joints around Shanghai, albeit at a higher price.
Another foreigner-friendly option in the Shanghai Centre. Free wifi. Opens at 07:30 which is convenient for early risers.
Wine bar. It is also a wine store, and has an upstairs restaurant serving salads, pasta, and pizza. This is the perfect place to taste a glass of good wine at the bar or outside on the wooden patio
Classic style of European wine bar, offering relaxed atmosphere and Italian anti-pasta
A wine bar aimed at the younger set.
上海乐途静安国际青年旅舍
A YHA bed and breakfast hostel in downtown Shanghai a 10-minute walk from Jing'an Temple. The building was built in 1930s as a towel factory and is deliberately refurbished to maintain its unique details: narrow lane (NongTang), Stone-frame, packing case etc. Price (normal season): Dorm bed ¥80, Private double ¥280, Private Twin or Triple a bit more. The hostel offers a lively vibrant atmosphere, including a cafe and bar, free internet, bike hire, laundry, luggage lockers and more. In the reception there is a Travel Center, where guests can book train tickets, purchase postcards & stamps, and book tours and shows.
上海海港宾馆
Near Pho Sizzling
上海绿地豪生全套房酒店; Shànghǎi lǜdìháo shēngquán tàofáng jiǔdiàn
Rooms with free internet. Also has a bar that can provide coffee and beer.
A classic Spanish-style hotel. The hotel offers 126 aptly furnished rooms and a wealth of dining and leisure facilities. Business amenities include a fully equipped business center and meeting and conference venues.
West side of Nanjing Rd. Opposite the hotel lies the famous Shanghai Television Tower. Rooms are air-conditioned, fitted with cable TV, hair dryer, and broadband Internet access. They also have a private bathroom and safe. Western and Chinese buffet breakfast is available.
上海美丽园龙都大酒店; Shànghǎi měilì yuánlóng dōudà jiǔdiàn
Rooms with free internet. The hotel has a Chinese and a Western restaurant and a bar that can provide coffee and beer. The hotel possesses various kinds of auxiliary facilities such as Chamber, Business Center, Currency exchange service, Shopping, Florist, Beauty Salon, Laundry, etc.
3-star hotel. The Bund, Jade Buddha Temple, and Nanjing Rd are few of the places you can visit while staying at this hotel. They offer air-conditioned rooms that has a satellite TV, high-speed Internet, mini-bar, telephone, and smoke alarm.
Houses 72 air-conditioned rooms equipped with cable TV, telephone, electronic door locks, slippers, and electric kettle. Some of their facilities include conference rooms, health and fitness center, sauna, lobby bar, and game room. Li Yuan Restaurant serves Cantonese cuisine and can accommodate 130 guests.
It is located 15 km away from Hongqiao Airport. 178 air-conditioned rooms.
Rooms are equipped with Dux bed, 32-inch TV, Refrigerator and Air-conditioning. Some of its facilities and services are Business center, Meeting hall, Fitness room/gym and Free Wi-Fi Internet access.
A favorite with business travelers, the Four Seasons is a luxury hotel with excellent amenities and several in-hotel dining options. The breakfast buffet is lavish, though typical of high-end Shanghai hotels. Given the cost (¥225) consider upgrading to the Executive Club Lounge (not to be confused with the "Executive Suite") where you get free cooked breakfast on the 37th floor.
The 5-star hotel offers very intimate service for each of its 45 rooms and suites. Each floor is assigned a butler, business amenities abound, and the hotel boasts a Teppanyaki restaurant.
国际饭店; Guoji Fandian
An Art Deco masterpiece, it was once the tallest building in the Far East with 22 soaring stories, but in today's Shanghai it looks like a refugee from Gotham City among the surrounding glass and steel skyscrapers. Convenient location, but the rooms with good views facing Nanjing Xilu and the Park also have to deal with the road's traffic noise.
4-star hotel.
Studio, Twin Bed and Suite, all equipped with Air-conditioning, Cable TV and High-speed Internet access. Facilities and services are Business centre, Airport transfer and Travel agency.
It offers standard and superior suite, all equipped with air-conditioning, TV with cable channels, and living room. Some of its facilities and services are business center, meeting room, and high-speed Internet access.
It offers standard, superior, and deluxe suite, all equipped with cable TV, DVD, telephone, and high-speed Internet connection. Some of its facilities and services are meeting room, business centre, and airport and city transfers.
Very new shopping mall with lots of restaurants, clothes shops and an electronics store. Good cinema. In the basement is an Ole' supermarket (a top range China chain) which sells lots of good Western quality food at very high prices.
Brand new upmarket mall with busy food court in the basement
Launched in partnership with the Japanese Sogo chain, this mall has a distinctly Japanese feel to it. Food court in basement as well as 'Fresh Mart' supermarket.
Three towers above an 8-story base. The base has quite a bit of high-end shopping, plus a supermarket in the basement with a range of imported foods. There is a pleasant coffee shop at ground level, back left corner as seen from the street. One tower has the Shanghai Ritz Carlton hotel; the others are apartments and offices, including several consulates. The complex also includes a theatre and an exhibition hall.
Get a mobile phone SIM or topup at this busy store on Nanjing Road
The usual way to get here is to take the line or metro to Jing'an Temple station.
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